Soccer World Off The Pitch | Samara Christmas (Sunshine Coast Fire)

This week we catch up with someone who has been a fixture at the Sunshine Coast Fire in recent years. She’s got the same initials as the jolly big man that lurks around the same time as her surname as well as the place that she lives. Learn more about striker Samara Christmas.

QSN: How were you introduced to the game and who was your main football influence?

SC: I recall every class break at school in year 2, I would join in with the boys and we would play massive games of football. I’m talking about 25 a side. It was great.

This is where my passion started. I’m going to say my biggest footballing influence was my under 13 girls Queensland coach. She introduced me to the professional side of football and switched on my competitiveness yet also expressed the importance of positivity. Not only that but I remember finishing the week calling it “the funnest week of my life”.

I think that time in my life helped shape me to be the player I am today.

QSN: Tell us about your football playing history.

SC: I started playing football at the age of 8 at Buderim Wanderers FC in a mixed squad until I was 11. I then moved up to the under 13 girls squad and played there for another season.

At the age of 12 I made it into my first representative team which was Sunshine Coast in the Junior Premier League (JPL). In my second year of Rep football I was selected for the under 13 Queensland team.

I played in the JPL for 5 years until 2013 when the competition changed to National Premier League and Sunshine Coast FC Fire got the license. I have played at Fire for 3 years.

QSN: What opportunities has football given you?

SC: I have been able to see a lot of Australia due to traveling for football and futsal combined. I have met life long friends. Most of my friends and the ones closest to me are involved in football or I have met through football.

I have been given the chance to train and play with Brisbane Roar FC for a few months and learn from the best coaches and players in Australia and it’s an experience that I will cherish forever.

QSN: How are you enjoying playing at Sunshine Coast FC?

SC: I am currently playing along side a great bunch of girls which I think always makes football worth while. The Sunshine Coast Womens team is always unique and that’s why its exciting to play there and because of this I feel as though I am have a pretty good season.

QSN: How does it feel to be top scorer for the team?

SC: I guess for me scoring is pretty important being a ‘number 9’, so it feels good. In saying that, I never think about competing with my own teammates as long as we are scoring and creating goal opportunities that’s what matters.

QSN: What are you and your team looking to achieve this season?

SC: At the beginning of the season we weren’t doing as well so we were just looking to improve. We have such a youthful side in a women’s competition it’s a big challenge but we have started to win a few games and we are now looking to make top 6. It’s a possibility, especially with the next few games we have coming up.

QSN: What are your greatest individual and team moments in football?

SC: My greatest individual moments would be my experience with Brisbane Roar and being selected as of the NPL All-Stars in 2015.

The greatest team moment in my eyes was in 2014 at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Our Fire women’s team scored an amazing goal. It was a near perfect team goal created by beautiful one-touch play through the midfield and a through ball placed onto Kayla Moore for a side foot finish into the net. Honestly those moments are why I love playing!!!

QSN: Who is the best player you have played with or against in your career?

SC: I’m going to have to say the best player I have played with is Sofie Persson. We first played together in 2015 and were the highest goal scoring “striker buddies” in the league. We basically had the same mindset on the pitch in terms of playmaking and attitude and almost everything seemed to work.

QSN: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

SC: Every game day, I listen to music before I get to the playing venue. It’s just a way I get into game mode. Other than that I don’t have many superstitions or rituals. I just need to be in the right mind set.

QSN: What do you do with yourself away from the football pitch?

SC: I am a student at university studying a Bachelor of Primary Education. I am a bartender at Maroochydore Surf Club. I love surfing and going to the beach in the warmer months and I pretty much just love to keep fit by going to the gym and exercising at home.

QSN: If you weren’t a footballer, what other sport would you play?

SC: I would probably be playing AFL. It’s something I enjoyed a lot and was very competitive in throughout high school.

QSN: Time for 5 rapid fire questions! Your favourite drink, music, food, football idol and which football club do you support?